Hot Weather Could Strain Power Supplies — State Asks For Conservation

State energy people getting a little nervous that all this hot weather could put a strain on our power supply. They’re not predicting black outs, but, they are asking that you try to cut down on power use, put the thermostat at 78 and take shorter showers. We are close to setting a record for power use with A/C’s running round the clock. The public service commission put out a list of things you can do to save power.

Consumers are encouraged to do some of the following:

Close drapes, windows and doors on your home’s sunny side to reduce solar heat buildup.

Turn off air conditioners, lights and other appliances when not at home and use a timer to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Use advanced power strips to centrally “turn off” all appliances and save energy.

If purchasing an air conditioner, look for an ENERGY STAR qualified model. ENERGY STAR air conditioners use up to 25 percent less energy than a standard model.
Fans can make rooms feel five to 10 degrees cooler and use 80 percent less energy than air conditioners.

Set your air conditioner at 78 degrees or higher to save on your cooling costs. Place your air conditioner in a central window, rather than a corner window, to allow for better air movement.

Consider placing the unit on the north, east or the best-shaded side of your home. Your air conditioner will have to work harder and use more energy if it is exposed to direct sunlight.

Seal spaces around the air conditioner with caulking to prevent cool air from escaping.

Clean the cooling and condenser fans plus the coils to keep your air conditioner operating efficiently and check the filter every month and replace as needed.

Use appliances such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and ovens early in the morning or late at night. This will also help reduce humidity and heat in the home.

Use energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs instead of standard incandescent light bulbs, and you can use 75 percent less energy.

Microwave food when possible. Microwaves use approximately 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens.

Dry clothes on a clothes line. If using a clothes dryer, remember to clean the dryer’s lint trap before every load.

Instead of using 30 to 40 gallons of water to take a bath, install a low-flow showerhead, which uses less than 3 gallons a minute.

Additional tips on how to conserve energy can be found on the Commission’s at www.AskPSC.com and www.NYSERDA.ny.gov.